Veterinary Float Nurse - ARH Canberra

The Animal Referral Hospital; Canberra; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Animal Referral Hospital Canberra is seeking a confident Float Nurse to support all hospital areas, including surgical, emergency and inpatient care. The role offers 8-hour shifts, Monday to Friday, with a focus on teamwork and adapting to varied clinical contexts.

Ideal candidates hold a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent) and have experience across Emergency/Referral or busy GP settings. A collaborative, patient-centered approach is essential to thrive in our environment.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent).
• Previous Veterinary Nursing experience in Emergency/Referral or busy GP settings.
• Confidence to work across different areas of a busy hospital.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible, adaptable approach and willingness to support wherever needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing support across the hospital, rotating through departments.
• Assist the surgical team and monitor anaesthetics.
• Care for hospitalised patients and respond to busy periods in emergency.
• Collaborate with nursing teams to maintain patient flow and wellbeing.

Skills

Flexible & adaptive

Cross-team collaboration

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

Proactive

Education

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent)

Job description

Job Description

Veterinary Nurse – Float Nurse

Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Canberra

Full Time, Monday - Friday

8-hour shifts

Are you an experienced Veterinary Nurse who thrives on variety, enjoys working with different teams, and is always ready to lend a hand where it’s needed most?

As we continue to evolve and invest in our people and services, we are looking for a confident and adaptable Float Nurse to join our team!

We are committed to providing exceptional veterinary care and services to our beloved patients. Our state-of-the-art clinic is equipped with the latest technology, and our team is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care in a compassionate and nurturing environment.

As a Float Nurse you’ll provide support right across the hospital, stepping into different departments and working alongside the nursing teams wherever your skills are needed most. From caring for hospitalised patients, assisting the surgical team and monitoring anaesthetics, to jumping in when things get busy in emergency, you’ll play an important role wherever you find yourself that day!

We believe great nursing teams are built on kindness, clear communication, and mutual respect - and that's exactly the culture we strive for here.

We actively encourage our nurses to be involved in how we do things. Your ideas, experience and insight are valued - we regularly review and refine our protocols, and you'll have the freedom to suggest and help implement improvements in patient care, workflow and team wellbeing.

What You’ll Bring

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent)
• Previous experience working as a Veterinary Nurse (either in Emergency/Referral or within a busy GP!)
• Confidence to work across different areas of a busy veterinary hospital
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure
• Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
• A flexible, adaptable approach and willingness to work wherever support is needed
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• A genuine passion for patient care and supporting your colleagues
• The ability to stay calm, organised and proactive in a fast-paced environment

We’re looking for someone who doesn’t need to be told twice, you see what needs doing, jump in and get it done!

What’s in it for you?

• Above-award remuneration
• Exposure to advanced emergency, critical care, and referral medicine cases
• Specialist-led education, continuing professional development, and career progression pathways
• RECOVER Rescuer Certification (CPR) support
• Employee discounts across ARH Hospitals, Greencross Vets, and Petbarn
• A supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team environment